Leaf blower illumination system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an illumination system for a leaf blower, which can be integrated into the original product or configured as an aftermarket product for use with existing leaf blowers. In an example, the illumination system includes at least one light assembly including at least one light source provided in association with a housing member. The housing member is integrated into at least one shoulder strap of a backpack blower such that the at least one light source is directed away from the front surface of the shoulder strap, or positioned between the shoulder straps by attachment members. A blower nozzle mounted illumination system is also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/831,521 filed on Jun. 3, 2022, issuing Jun. 27,2023 at U.S. Pat. No. 11,686,465, which is a continuation application ofU.S. application Ser. No. 17/333,149 filed on May 28, 2021, now U.S.patent Ser. No. 11/353,209 issued Jun. 7, 2022, which claims priority toand the benefit of expired U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.63/031,612, filed May 29, 2020, all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an illumination system for a leafblower, that is integrated into the blower or attached to an existingblower, that illuminates a broad area around a person using the blower.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Property owners have various outdoor tasks associated with maintainingproperty, including gathering and disposing of leaves and debris in theFall or Spring in many locations. To facilitate this task, propertyowners, landscapers and property management teams have various outdoormaintenance requirements, and use leaf blowers, including handheld leafblowers, push-behind leaf blowers and backpack blowers for example. Thebackpack leaf blowers provide a higher powered, portable system fordoing such work and are very popular, particularly where large areasneed to be serviced. Yard work and grounds keeping is often performedearly in the morning or in the evening, when low-light conditions exist,and using a leaf blower in low-light conditions is difficult.

An attempt to provide a lighting device with backpack blowers has beenmade for example, using a nozzle mounted light to attempt to illuminateareas in close proximity to the blower nozzle. However, such anarrangement has serious deficiencies, as the blower nozzle is pointed ina single direction that does not illuminate the broader area beingworked in.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an illumination system for aleaf blower that illuminates a broad area around the person blowingleaves or debris to allow the task of gathering leaves or other debrisin low light conditions, such as the early morning or evening. It wouldalso be desirable to provide the ability to add a light assembly to anybackpack blower in a manner to illuminate a broad area around theperson.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an illumination system for a leafblower, and more particularly, to an illumination system for a leafblower which can be integrated into the original product or configuredas an aftermarket product for use with existing leaf blowers. In anexample, the illumination system is integrated into the blower, andcomprises at least one light assembly including at least one lightsource provided in association with a housing member. The housing memberis integrated into at least one shoulder strap of a backpack blower suchthat the at least one light source is directed away from the frontsurface of the shoulder strap. A rechargeable battery power supply isprovided in association with the at least one light source, along with aswitch to operate the at least one light source. A second light assemblymay be provided into the second shoulder strap of a backpack blower.

In an alternate example, the invention is directed to an illuminationsystem having at least one first light source provided in associationwith a housing member, and attachment members to attach the housing toeach strap of a backpack blower, between the straps integrated into afirst shoulder strap of a backpack blower such that the at least onefirst light source is directed away from the shoulder straps.

In another example, the invention is directed to an illumination systemcomprising a strap member having a predetermined length and front andrear sides. The strap member has first and second attachment portions toallow the strap member to be wrapped around the nozzle of a blower andattached to itself. An illumination system comprising at least oneside-emitting light source is mounted on the strap member so as todirect light toward the front of the strap member and nozzle outlet ofthe blower. A battery power supply is provided in association with theat least one light source, along with a switch to operate the at leastone light source.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Modifications andalternative embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art in view of the disclosure herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first example of an illumination systemaccording to an example of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of another example of an illumination systemaccording to an example of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of another example of an illumination systemaccording to an example of the invention.

FIG. 4A is a view of an alternate example of an illumination systemaccording to the invention.

FIG. 4B shows views of the illumination system of FIG. 4A attached tothe nozzle of a blower.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference now to the drawings, examples of the illumination systemfor a leaf blower of the invention will be described. Referring to FIG.1 , an illumination system 10 for a backpack mounted blower 50 is shown.The backpack blower 50 includes a movable blower nozzle 52 connected tothe motor 54 mounted on frame 56. A first and second shoulder strap 58and 60 allow a user to carry the frame 52, motor 54 and nozzle 56 on theback of the user.

The illumination system 10 is provided in association with at least oneof the shoulder straps 58 and 60, and includes at least one lightassembly 12 including at least one light source 14 provided inassociation with a housing member 16. The housing member 16 isintegrated into a front portion of at least one shoulder strap 58 and 60of the backpack blower 50 such that the at least one light source isdirected away from the front surface of the shoulder strap 58 or 60.Preferably, a second light assembly 12 is provided in association withthe other strap 58 or 60. As shown in this example, the light source maybe a light bar including a plurality of individual light sources 14arranged in one or more rows. The light sources 14 may be high intensityLED sources or other suitable sources. To provide desired illumination,the principal direction of illuminating light provided by eachindividual light source 14 may be controlled to illuminate the desiredbroad area around the person using the blower 50. In this example, withthe illumination sources arranged in a vertical row, the upper lightsources 14 are directed more downwardly to illuminate an area around10-15 feet from the user, while the lower light sources may be directedto illuminate between 1-10 feet from the user. If desired, eachindividual light source 14 could be adjustable to allow it to bedirected in a desired manner. It is also desirable to avoid illuminatinglight being directed at the user's eyes and the mounting in the housingmember 16 may shield against this, or other structures provided toprevent this.

A battery power supply 18 is provided in the housing member 16, toprovide power to the at least one light source 14, and may berechargeable via the power cord 20. A switch 22 to operate the at leastone light source 14 is provided on the housing member 16. In analternate example, the power for the illumination system may begenerated from the motor 54, and supplied to the light source viaappropriate connections. For example, an alternator (and inverter ifrequired) coupled to the drive shaft of a gas powered motor of abackpack blower could provide power the light assembly 12. Batterypowered blowers may be developed that could supply power from theonboard power supply. There may also be provide a USB port 24 to allowconnection of a smart phone or other mobile device while using theblower. If desired, the housing member 14 may be removeable from thestrap 58 or 60, to allow charging or replacement of batteries ifnon-rechargeable batteries are used.

If light assemblies 12 are provided in each strap 58 and 60, a chargingconnection may be provided to couple the assemblies together forcharging, or wireless charging of one of the assemblies 12 may beprovided from the other assembly 12 for example. In such an arrangement,the straps 58 and 60 and therefore light assemblies 12 may be positionedadjacent one another to allow use of a tightly-coupled electromagneticinductive or non-radiative charging, or charging bowls orthrough-surface type chargers that use loosely-coupled or radiativeelectromagnetic resonant charging that can transmit a charge a fewcentimeters. Alternately, an uncoupled radio frequency (RF) wirelesscharging may allow a trickle charging capability at other typicaldistances between the straps 58 and 60 and assemblies 12.

It should be evident that the light sources 14 provided in associationwith one or both shoulder straps 58 and 60 of a backpack blower, allowilluminating light to extend in front of the user over a broad regionnot dependent on the direction of the movable blower nozzle 52. Theability to direct the light over a broad region in front of the userenables much improved visibility as the blower is used, and avoidsshadows produced by the nozzle for example. The integration into bothstraps 58 and 60 also may allow the light from a first assembly 12 to bedirected toward the front and left side of the user, while the secondassembly 12 is directed toward the front and right of the user, toilluminate a broad area around the entire front of the user, such as upto 170°.

In an alternate example, FIG. 2 shows an illumination system 100 that isseparate from the backpack blower 50, but attachable to the straps 58and 60 to provide broad illumination in front of the user in a mannersimilar to the example of FIG. 1 . In this example, the illuminationsystem 100 includes at least one light assembly 102 including at leastone light source 104 provided in association with a housing member 106.The housing member 106 includes attachment members 108 and 110 to attachthe housing member 106 between the shoulder straps 58 and 60 of thebackpack blower 50 such that the at least one light source 104 isdirected away from the front surface of the shoulder straps 58 and 60.Preferably, the light assembly 102 may be a light bar including aplurality of individual light sources 104 arranged in one or more rows.To provide desired illumination, the principal direction of illuminatinglight provided by each individual light source 104 may be controlled toilluminate the desired broad area around the person using the blower 50.In this example, with the illumination sources arranged in a generallyhorizontal row, the light sources 104 are directed to illuminate an areaaround 1-15 feet from the user, while the side light sources 104 may bedirected to illuminate the left and right side regions of the user. Ifdesired, each individual light source 104 could be adjustable to allowit to be directed in a desired manner. It is also desirable to avoidilluminating light being directed at the user's eyes and the mounting inthe housing member 106 may shield against this, or other structuresprovided to prevent this. The attachment members 108 and 110 also mayhave a length to hang the housing member 106 at a point between thestraps 58 and 60 low enough where light does not impinge upon the userseyes. As shown, the attachment members 108 and 110 have some length toallow positioning of the housing member 106 at a desired positionrelative to the straps 58 and 60, but alternatively could be formed asshorter segments and attachment mechanism to attach to a strap 58 or 60in the space between the straps 58 and 60 when worn by a user.

A battery power supply is provided in the housing member 106, to providepower to the at least one light source 104, and may be rechargeable viaa power cord. A switch to operate the at least one light source 104 isprovided on the housing member 106. There may also be provided a USBport as in the prior example of FIG. 1 . The attachment members 108 and110 may include attachment mechanisms of any suitable type, such as hookand loop fasteners 112 on the top of the strap portion of the attachmentmembers 108 and 110, that can be wrapped around the straps 58 and 60 andattached to itself at a desired location on the strap 58 and 60.Alternatively, there may be provided clips to simply attach the members108 and 110 (or housing 106 directly) to the straps 58 and 60 at adesired location. The attachment mechanisms preferably allow simple andquick positioning of the housing 106 at a desired position between thestraps 58 and 60.

A similar example is shown in FIG. 3 , wherein a light assembly 200 maybe similar to that shown in the example of FIG. 2 , but includesattachment members 208 and 210 that may have clips that allow simpleattachment to straps 58 and 60. Also in this example, an external powersupply 212 is provided that may be attached to a suitable location onthe blower 50. For example, in this arrangement, the power supply 212may be positioned on the blower nozzle 52 near the controls of theblower itself mounted on the blower nozzle 52. In this manner, an on/offswitch 214 may be provided on the power supply 212 to operate the lightassembly 200 from that location. In addition, this may allow coupling anozzle light assembly to the power supply 212, such as will be describedin the example of FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the power supply 212 may bepositioned at another suitable position, and then recharged easily bysimply unplugging the light assembly 200 therefrom.

Turning to FIG. 4A, another example of a light assembly 300 according tothe invention is shown to include a strap 302, having a plurality oflight sources 304 provided in spaced relation on the strap member 302.The light sources 304 may be side-emitting LED's that direct light awayfrom the front 306 of the strap 302. As seen in FIG. 4B, the strap 302may be wrapped around the blower nozzle 52 and attached to itself at anydesired position on the nozzle 52. The plurality of light sources mayextend around the periphery of the nozzle 52 to provide illuminatinglight from all points around the nozzle, and avoid shadows from thenozzle itself to interfere with illumination of an area in front of thenozzle 52 as it is moved during use. If desired, each individual lightsource 304 could be adjustable to allow it to be directed in a desiredmanner. It is also desirable to avoid illuminating light being directedat the user's eyes and the mounting in the strap may include shieldingif desired to prevent this.

A battery power supply may be provided in association with the assembly300, such as mounted in association with the strap 302, or the lightassembly 300 may be supplied power from an external power supply via acord 308 or the like. The power could be supplied via the battery powersupply 18 or 112 associated with the other illumination systems, and mayprovide the ability to fully illuminate the surroundings in associationwith another illumination system.

It should be evident that the light sources 304 provided in associationwith the nozzle 52 in a simple and effective manner. The ability todirect the light to the front of the nozzle 52 of blower 50 may behelpful in illuminating the environment in front of the nozzle 52 as itis moved, and can be helpful in addition to one or more light assembliesthat provide illuminating light over a broad region in front of the useras the blower is used, and avoids shadows produced by the nozzle 52 forexample. The assembly 300 may be attached to the blower nozzle 52adjacent the very front for example, to illuminate a broader area. Thelight produced from the plurality of light sources 304 positioned aroundthe periphery illuminates the area which is being worked by the airflowfrom the blower 50.

In the examples of the invention, the lighting systems are desirablywater-resistant, and rugged, to be used in the environment as intended.The light sources may include diffusers or other features to betterdisseminate light produced thereby, or could include lenses to allowfocusing of light as may be desired.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in theforegoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly illustrative examples thereof have been shown and described, andthat all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinvention described by the following claims are desired to be protected.Additional features of the invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon consideration of the description. Modificationsmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An illumination system for a backpack blowercomprising: at least one light assembly having at least one light sourceand power supply associated with the light assembly, wherein the atleast one light assembly is positioned with at least one of the firstand second shoulder straps of the backpack blower at a location adjacentthe users body when the backpack blower is worn by the user, the strapshaving front portions and right and left side edges, and wherein the atleast one light source directs illuminating light away from the front ofa user and toward the ground with the at least one light sourcegenerating sufficient luminosity to illuminate an enlarged area of theground in front of the user when the backpack blower is worn by theuser.
 2. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein first and secondlight assemblies are positioned with the first and second shoulderstraps of the backpack blower.
 3. The illumination system of claim 1,wherein the at least one light assembly is integrated into at least oneof the first and second shoulder straps of the backpack blower.
 4. Theillumination system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light assemblyhas a plurality of light sources.
 5. The illumination system of claim 1,wherein the at least one light assembly is attachable to at least one ofthe first and second shoulder straps of the backpack blower.
 6. Theillumination system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light assemblyis attachable between the first and second shoulder straps of thebackpack blower.
 7. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein aplurality of light sources are arranged to illuminate the ground onlytoward the front and sides of the user.
 8. The illumination system ofclaim 1, further comprising a nozzle light assembly positioned inassociation with the nozzle of the backpack blower.
 9. The illuminationsystem of claim 1, wherein the direction at which light is emitted fromthe at least one light source is adjustable.
 10. An illumination systemfor a leaf blower comprising: a nozzle light assembly with a pluralityof light sources, wherein the plurality of light sources extend aroundthe periphery the nozzle to illuminate an area in front of the nozzle ofthe leaf blower from around the nozzle.
 11. The illumination system ofclaim 10, wherein the nozzle light assembly includes a member to allowpositioning around the nozzle to position the plurality of light sourcesat different positions around the periphery of the nozzle.
 12. Theillumination system of claim 11, wherein the member to allow positioningaround the nozzle is a strap member attached to itself.
 13. Theillumination system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of light sourcesare spaced around the periphery of the nozzle.
 14. A nozzle illuminationsystem for a leaf blower, comprising a plurality of light sourcespositioned in spaced apart relation around a periphery of a nozzle of aleaf blower to provide illuminating light in front of the nozzle fromaround the nozzle.
 15. The illumination system of claim 14, wherein theplurality of light sources are provided around the periphery of a memberthat is attachable around the nozzle.
 16. The illumination system ofclaim 15, wherein the member is a strap that is attachable to itselfafter being wrapped around the nozzle.
 17. The illumination system ofclaim 14, wherein the plurality of light sources direct light away fromthe front of the nozzle.
 18. The illumination system of claim 14,wherein the plurality of light sources provide illuminating light fromall points around the nozzle to avoid shadows from the nozzle itself.19. The illumination system of claim 14, wherein each individual lightsource is adjustable.
 20. The illumination system of claim 14, whereinthe light sources include shielding to prevent directing illuminatinglight back toward the user.